Air Marshal Job Requirements in Alabama

Federal air marshals are dedicated to keeping the nation’s civil aviation system safe. As law enforcement officers under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), air marshals are trained to blend in with airline passengers in order to detect, deter and prevent hostile actions against air carriers, passengers, crews and airports. Air marshals also serve as assistant federal security directors at many airports to ensure law enforcement coordination.

Alabama Air Marshals in Action

Alabaman Robert Prince was arrested after creating a ruckus and assaulting an air marshal aboard a flight to Houston. A female passenger seated next to Prince, who was being loud and boisterous, complained that he was inappropriately touching her. A male flight attended asked an air marshal who was on board to change seats with the woman. However, the Alabama man attempted to prevent the exchange and when the air marshal identified himself, Prince struck the marshal several times. Thanks to the quick action of the air marshal, Prince was restrained and now faces a possible 20 years in prison for interfering with a flight crew.

Major Airports in Alabama

Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport is located five miles northeast of downtown Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city. In 2012 the airport served over 2.8 million passengers with over 100 flights a day to national and international destinations.

Huntsville International Airport (Carl T. Jones Field), situated 10 miles southwest of downtown Huntsville, is part of the Port of Huntsville. It served 606.127 passengers in 2010 and is noted for having the second longest runway in the southeast. The airport is currently undergoing a major expansion.

Dothan Regional Airport is six miles northwest of the city of Dothan which sits at the southeastern corner of the state of Alabama. Although half of its flights are devoted to military aviation training, it still served 41,453 civilian passengers in 2010. Dothan’s airport is limited to one regional carrier.

Montgomery Regional Airport is located seven miles southwest of the state capital. The west side of the airport is an Alabama National Guard base. Montgomery Airport served 188,177 passengers in 2011 with nonstop flights to Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas.